The Clash Of Promotions: 3 Times Non-Wrestlers Showed Up in WWE | Smark Out Moment

The Clash Of Promotions: 3 Times Non-Wrestlers Showed Up in WWE

Posted by Outside Interference Monday, February 25, 2019
After retiring from boxing in 2007, Floyd Mayweather Jr. wandered into the world of wrestling, among others. He memorably broke the nose of Big Show, which resulted in a challenge to a one-on-one in WrestleMania XXIV, a match that turned into another Mayweather money fight. The unbeaten boxing champion knocked Big Show out using brass knuckles and reportedly pocketed a $20 million paycheck as a result. This was not the first time (and neither the last) a non-wrestler shows up in the ring at WWE. Actually, there is a long string of fighters coming from various sports trying their luck in the ring.


Ronda Rousey


The elephant in the room and most obvious person to start with is Ronda Rousey.

The wonder girl of UFC and one of the most feared female fighters ever is currently holding the Raw Women's Championship.

She first stepped in a WWE ring at WrestleMania 31 in March 2015 when Stephanie McMahon taunted and slapped The Rock, ordering him to leave the ring. The Rock said he wouldn't hit a woman, but he had a "very good friend" who would gladly do so, retrieving Rousey from the audience. As you might expect, McMahon flew out of the ring with the altercation ending with Rousey and The Rock celebrating and The Authority retreating.

This would later be revisited in a match at WrestleMania 34 between Rousey and Kurt Angle against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, which would kick off Rousey's true career in WWE. Since then, she has remained undefeated in singles competition and the three other women in her clique of Four Horsewomen of MMA (Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir) have all joined the NXT roster and seen success of their own.


Ricky Hatton


Another athlete to show his worth in the WWE ring was English welterweight boxer, Ricky Hatton. He was at the pinnacle of his career in 2005, with world titles and championship belts, he ultimately lost both to Filipino boxer Manny Paquiao in 2009.

The same year, possibly to prove himself worthy, he did a short stint in the November 9 edition of WWE Raw. There, he took on Chavo Guerrero in a match that ended with the wrestler being knocked out by a massive right hook.


Arnold Schwarzenegger


Former bodybuilder and governor, current actor and forever the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger also did a short but memorable appearance in the WWE - and, given his innate talent for entertainment, he was a perfect fit.

His stint with the WWE was brief but at least funny. He made his debut next to the ring at the WWF SmackDown in 1999, where he absolutely "destroyed" Triple H - the wrestler, after losing a match, tried to avenge Arnold's interference by attacking him outside the ring and got a flurry of punches in return. This performance was enough to ensure Arnold to receive the "World Box Office Champion" title.

His contributions to sports and entertainment were recognized by an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.


This is just scratching the surface of non-wrestling athletes working alongside WWE. From football players like Rob Gronkowski getting involved in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 and Lawrence Taylor main-eventing WrestleMania 11, to Shaquille O'Neal's appearances throughout the years, to golfers (not just Kerwin White), Ninja Warrior's Kacy Catanzaro joining the NXT roster and so much more, proving if an athlete has that it-factor, WWE is a potential home for them.
ABOUT AFFILIATES AND OUR TEAM

If you would like to join Smark Out Moment and become a member of the team as an affiliate writer, podcaster, editor, or any other position or guest work, please consult this link and use the contact form to send us an email application. We will get in touch as soon as possible with more information.

0 comments:

Current EVENTS

Watch WWE NXT Stand and Deliver 2024 Live Results

WWE NXT Stand and Deliver 2024 Predictions and Results

Watch WrestleMania 2024 PPV Live Results

WWE WrestleMania 40 PPV Predictions and Results


Who is the true WrestleMania Main-Eventer of all time? Vote on Round 2 of the Smark Madness Tournament to pick a winner!
WrestleMania XL Giveaway Rock WWE Contest

WANT TO WRITE FOR US?

If you would like to join the Smark Out Moment writing team, please send an email via the contact form.

SITE SEGMENTS

LIST OF SPECIAL EVENTS

BRANDS AND SHOWS

TYPES OF POSTS

SUPPORT SMARK OUT MOMENT

JOIN THE TEAM

FOLLOW AMT ON SOCIAL MEDIA